Emerald Downs: Jockey Power Rankings Edition #19: Karlo Lopez leads the way with 6 wins

9/13/2024

(Auburn, WA) The race for the Jockey Championship is over but the scramble is on to finish strong in 2024. This is the 2nd to last Power Rankings we’ll have a final one after the season is over. Let’s get to it!

2024 Power Rankings #19

#1 Karlo Lopez (Last week #10)

Karlo Lopez wpon 6 races breaking free from that nasty 2nd-itis bug he has had for most of the season. Expect Karlo to finish the season strong and be the #2 rider in earnings.

#2 Luis Reyes (Last week #3)

Luis Reyes has been so good for 3 months now after a bit of a tough start he has pulled it together. He is not going to ride tonight or Saturday for a 2 day suspension but thinking he is gonna make up for it on closing day.

#3 Manuel Americano (Last week #6)

The only apprentice at Emerald this year has dug in and worked hard on his craft and has gotten better and better each week. He is winning on a regular basis now and not hoping for 1 a week. He has strung together 5 straight days of winning. Keep an eye on this young man!

#4 Alex Cruz (Last week #1)

With his 5th straight riding title in hand and extending his state record Cruz simply went out and had an Alex Cruz week winning 3 and always competitive. Cruz from Puerto Rico has claimed Auburn as his 2nd home.

#5 Silvio Amador (Last week #4)

Silvio “Batman” Amador has been grinding out a season with a very talented jock’s room and working as his own agent to be 2nd in stakes wins and is tied for Stakes wins with 3 and only 1 of 2 riders with more than 100k in Stakes earnings and sits tied for 7th in rider standings from limited chances. Overlooked all year in our opinion.

#6 Juan Gutierrez (Last week #10)

The ol’ veteran came back this season and did it his way and boy he has been consistent. Just another strong week for the all-time winningest rider in Emerald Downs history looking to add to his legend in these final 3 days.

#7 Jose Zunino (Last week #5)

Not quite the season the Carpenter Jose Zunino was hoping for but it’s been pretty good and if he can get everyone’s favorite Slew’s Tiz Whiz to the Winner’s Circle 1 more time it’ll be a great year.

#8 Isaias Enriquez (Last week unranked)

Isaias Enriquez another one of those really good riders who could win on an odds on favorite or bring home the longest shot of the whole year. He remains a machine out there and has added another level of depth to the rider colony all season.

#9 Carlos Montalvo (Last week #7)

Can Carlos add to his Stakes lead this weekend? It’s nice to be the overall Champ for sure but it sure isn’t bad to be the top rider when it matters the most in the Stakes races. He leads with 4 wins and more than 137k in stakes earnings and likely to add to that on Sunday.

#10 Kevin Krigger (Last week #2)

Kevin Krigger has had a remarkable season as the lead rider for the powerful Justin Evans barn he was the one who settled the Evans barn down after a little bit of a slow start, at least for Evans. Krigger hasn’t taken his foot off the gas pedal yet and not finishing strong would be a stunner.